Japan has agreed to give out loan assistance of JPY9495 million (Rs396.63 crore) for the development of Buddhist circuit in Uttar Pradesh. The Indian government has entered into a loan agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the said money which will be utilised for the development of Buddhist centres situated at Sarnath, Kushi Nagar, Kapila vastu, Sravasti and Sankisa. The Uttar Pradesh Buddhist Circuit Development Project will also include improvement of nearly 74 km of road, storm water drainage system, site attraction enhancement in the area and signage import in the archaeological sites. The project will conduct various tourism promotion programmes to attract more visitors to the sites.
The Indian tourism ministry will organise an international meet with trade and media representatives in Nalanda, Bihar in February next year, to showcase India’s Buddhist heritage.
